Price tag holder



,117, 3 PRECE TAG HOLDER Archer W. Carpenter, 6133 Reno, Temple .City, Calif., assignor of one-half to Malcolm 1R. Speirs, Lakewood, Calif.

Filed on, 23, 1962, Ser. No. 232,476 8 Claims. (Cl. 40-16) This invention relates generally to price tag or ticket holders, and relates more particularly to the shelf molding type of price tag or ticket holders.

While the invention has particular utility in connection with price tag molding trim for attachment to the free edges of shelving and the like, and is shown and described in such connection, it is to be understood that its utility is not confined thereto.

In many stores, particularly those of the self-service type, merchandise is displayed on shelves, counters, or the like, and prices are displayed by price tags aligned with the commodities on the shelves. In shelf arrangements of this character it is customary to put the storage on display shelves with moldings that releasably support the price tags.

However, difficulties are encountered with such price tag moldings as frequently mischievous persons displace such price tags, moving them from one position to another or perhaps moving one tag out of position, causing confusion on the part of purchasers as to the price of the commodity Where such tampering has occurred with the price tags and causing eXtra work for the personnel of the store in putting the tags back in position.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an arrangement that overcomes these difficulties.

It is another object of the invention to provide molding of this character which will protect the price tags, or the like, so that unauthorized persons may not have access thereto.

It is still another object of the invention to provide means of this character wherein authorized persons may easily and quickly place the tabs in position in .the molding and/ or remove such tags.

It is afurther object of the invention to provide means of this character which will retain the tags in position.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide means of this character .intowhichthe tags may be .placed and removed therefrom without breaking or cracking such tags.

It is another object of the invention to ,provide means of this character wherein the access slots for the tags are at the front of the molding and so positioned as to minimize the entrance of dust and other foreign matter thereinto.

It is still another .object of the invention ,to provide means of this character that may be easily and quickly attached to the shelves.

it is a further object of the invention to provide means of this character formed in strips and'having a transparent strip cover which cannot be normally displaced to expose the tags.

It is a still furtherobjectofthe invention to provide means of this character that will notvobstruct or interfere with the free removal and replacement of merchandise on the shelves.

'It is another object of theinvention toprovidemeans of this character that is decorative and useful.

It is still another object of the invention to provide means of this character that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and install.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention are further sufficiently referred to in connection with the following detailed description of the accompanying drawings, which represent certain embodiments.

' United States Patent 3,117,387 Patented Jan- 1%, 19,64

After considering these examples, skilled persons will understand that many variations may be made without departing from the principles disclosed and I contemplate the emp ym pf any uc u es a r n ements o modes of operation that are properly within the scope of the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings, which are for illustrative P po e ly:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of price tag moldingeembod n t s t i en io FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken ,on line 2,2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3 3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of an alternative arrangement; and FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-7-5 .of FIG. 4.

Referring more particularly ,to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, there is shown a display shelf 10 on which merchandise 12 is displayed.

In the arrangement shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the front edge of the shelf is provided with a notch 14 that is V-shaped in cross section.

The molding is indicated generally at 16 and comprises a back member 18 and front member 2%.

Member 18 has a top surface 22 in substantially the same plane as the top surface ofthe shelf 10, and a bottom side or surface 24 substantially parallel to the top side or surface 22 and in substantially the same plane as the underside of the shelf 15 At the rear side the back member is formed with a .\,/.-shaped portion 26 adapted to seat in the groove 14 of the frontedge of the shelf.

At the front, member 18 is provided with a longitudinally extending concave groove .or recess -28, the upper edge 31) of which is spaced downwardly from the adjacent longitudinally extending upper forward edge 32 of the member 18 while the lower .edge 34 of said groove is spaced upwardly of the adjacent forward lower edge 36 of said member 18, .these positions b i g with respect "ice to the position of the device or molding as showninthe drawing.

Recess 2 8 is provided with a series of longitudinally spaced transverse or vertically arranged ridges or spaces 40 which are shown as being integratl with the member .18, although they may be otherwise'arranged.and/orsecured to said member.

Front member 20 is-formed of transparent material such as a transparent plasic or the like, there being various clear plastics or transparent plastics that are well known and suitable for this purpose; Theback side of the member 2.0is arcuate in crosssection and has thesame curvature as the recess 2 8. 'It is to be noted thatthe spacers 40 are of uniform heightfrom the bottom ofthe recess 28 and, hence have the sameor substantially the same curveture as saidbottom .of recess or groove 28. The back curved side of the member 20 engages the .spacersor ribs A0, thereby defining a series of-longitudinally arranged compartments for price tags 42.

The frontface of the member 20 is insubstantially the same place as the front edge portions of the member 13,

op it dy in er on nf a dp c tags ou th o w d f c n s qpen n st Since the price tags are generally of flexible, resilient plastic material, said tags may be readily inserted either by way of the upper or the lower slot openings 44 and because of their resilience will be frictionally held in the respective chambers.

When it is desired to place-a price tag with another price tag the latter is inserted in a slot 44, the upper slots being most convenient. As the new tag is pushed into the respective chamber 46 the inner longitudinal edge thereof will engage the upper longitudinal edge of the tag to be replaced and as the new tag is pushed into the chamber the old tag is pushed out of the opposite or lower slot 44.

The tag being removed may be engaged with the fingers of the operator and pulled out of the chamber before the new tag is fully disposed therein or it may be allowed to be pushed completely out of the chamber by the tag being inserted.

The front and back members 20 and 18 may be secured together and to the adjacent shelf edge by any suitable means. As shown in the drawings, such means comprises screws received in openings provided therefor in the front and back members, said screws being screwed into the adjacent edge of the shelf.

It is also to be understood that while the ridges or spacers 49 are shown as being integral with the back member, they may be integral with the front member instead.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, there is shown an alternative arrangement wherein the front edge of the shelf is provided with upper and lower edge surfaces 52 which are in the same plane relative to each other and in a plane normal to the top and bottom surfaces of the shelf 10. Bet-Ween the portions 52 the front edge of the shelf 10 is concavely grooved longitudinally, that is, the groove is concave in cross section, as indicated at 54 in FIG. 4. The price tag molding of the alternative arrangement of FIGS. 4 and 5 is indicated generally at 56 and includes a rear member 58 and a front member 60.

Member 58 of the molding 56 is formed of sheet material such as sheet metal, for example. This member is concave-convex cross section and is adapted to conform to the curvature of the groove 54 and to fit thereinto. Member 58 includes oppositely extending flanges 64 in the same plane relative to each other which rest against the edge portions 52 of the forward or front edge of the shelf 16*. Spaced longitudinally of the member 58, said member is formed with forwardly projecting transverse ridges 66 which are of uniform height throughout their extent to define the ends of compartments 68, the backs of said compartments being defined by the respective portions of the member 58.

Member 6% is similar to the member 2!} of the arrangement shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, and is disposed in the recess defined by the member 58, the back or inner side 76 of said member 60 having the same curvature as the member 58 and the ridges 66 thereof. By disposing the member 60 within the member 58 with the back side 70 in engagement with the free edges of the ridges or ribs 66, the front member 60 defines the front of the chamber 68. Front wall or face 70 of the member 60 is in the same plane as the outer sides of the flanges 64 and the top and bottom openings 74 of the chambers 63 are at the front of the molding, as in the arrangement shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. The front and back molding members are secured to the front of the shelf 10 by any suitable means, such as screws or the like.

If desired the ribs at the location of the holes in the molding members for the screws may be somewhat wider than the other ribs. With this arrangement the screws will not extend into the ends of the compartments for the tags.

The invention and its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form,

I claim:

1. A price tag molding, comprising:

(A) an elongated back member having a back side shaped to conform to the shape of the edge of a shelf to which said member is adapted to be attached, and a front side concavely grooved, said groove extending longitudinally, there being top and bottom front edge portions in the same vertical plane, and con- =cavely shaped transverse, longitudinally spaced ribs in the groove of said back member and formed integrally with said member, the front free edges of said ribs having the same curvature as the curvature of said groove and defining ends of tag receiving chambers, the height of said ribs being slightly greater than the thickness of tags to be received therein;

(B) a transparent front member disposed in the groove of said back member, the back side of said front member having a convex curvature corresponding to the concave curvature of said groove and ribs and engaging the free edges of said ribs, the front side of said front member being in the same plane as the front top and front bottom edge portions of the back member;

(C) and means for securing said members together and to the free edge of a shelf.

2. A price tag molding for shelves and the like, comprising:

(A) an elongated back member having its front side concavely grooved longitudinally, concavely shaped, tranverse, longitudinally spaced ribs in the groove of said back member and formed integrally therewith, the front free edges of said ribs having the same curvature as the curvature of said groove and defining ends of tag receiving chambers, the height of said ribs being slightly greater than the thickness of tags to be received therein;

(B) a transparent front member disposed in the groove of said back member, the back side of said front member having a curvature corresponding to the curvature of said groove and ribs and engaging the free edges of said ribs;

(C) and means for securing said members together and to the free edge of a shelf.

3. A price tag molding for shelves and the like, comprising: (A) an elongated back member having its front side concavely grooved longitudinally,

(a) concavely shaped, transverse, longitudinally spaced ribs in the groove of said back member and formed integrally therewith, the front free edges of said ribs having the same curvature as the curvature of said groove and defining ends of tag receiving chambers, the height of said ribs being slightly greater than the thickness of tags to be received therein;

(B) and a transparent front member disposed in the groove of said back member,

(a) the back side of said front member having a curvature corresponding to the curvature of said groove and ribs and engaging the free edges of said ribs.

4. A price tag molding, comprising:

(A) an elongated back member having a concave longitudinally extending groove in its front side, concavely shaped, transverse, longitudinally spaced ribs in the groove of said back member and formed in- V tegrally therewith, the front free edges of said ribs having the same curvature as the curvature of said V groove and defining ends of tag receiving chambers,

the height of said ribs being slightly greater than the thickness of tags to be received therein;

(B) a transparent front member disposed in the groove of said back member, the back side of said front member having a convex curvature corresponding to the concave curvature of said groove;

(C) longitudinally spaced spacer means between said members to provide tag chambers having their top and bottom ends of opening at the front of said mold- (D) and means for securing said members together and to a support.

5 A price tag molding, comprising:

(A) an elongated back member having its front side transversely curved;

(B) a transparent front member having its back side with a curvature corresponding to the curvature of the front side of said back member;

(C) longitudinally spaced spacer means between said members to provide tag chambers having their top and bottom ends open;

(D) and means for securing said members together.

6. A price tag molding, comprising:

(A) an elongated back member having its front side transversely curved;

(B) a transparent front member having its back side with a curvature corresponding to the curvature of the front side of said back member;

(C) and longitudinally spaced spacer means between said members to provide tag chambers having their top and bottom ends open.

7. A price tag molding, comprising:

(A) an elongated back member of sheet metal having its longitudinally central portion concave-convex and having oppositely extending top and bottom flanges in a common plane,

(a) concavely shaped, transverse, longitudinally spaced ribs in the concave side of said back member and formed integrally therewith, the front free edges of said ribs having the same curvature as the curvature of said concave side 6 and defining ends of tag receiving chambers, the weight of said ribs being slightly greater than the thickness of tags to be received therein;

(B) a transparent front member disposed in the concave side of said back member, the back side of said front member having a curvature corresponding to the curvature of said ribs and engaging the free edges thereof, the front side of said front member being in substantially the same plane as said flanges;

(C) and means for securing said members together and to the free edge of a shelf.

8. A price tage molding, comprising:

(A) an elongated back member of sheet metal having its longitudinally central portion concavo-convex and having oppositely extending top and bottom flanges in a common plane,

(a) concavely shaped, transverse, longitudinally spaced ribs in the concave side of said back member and formed integrally therewith, the front free edges of said ribs having the same curvature as the curvature of said concave side and defining ends of tag receiving chamber-s, the height of said ribs being slightly greater than the thickness of tags to be received therein;

(-3) and a transparent front member disposed in the concave side of said back member, the back side of said front member having a curvature corresponding to the curvature of said ribs and engaging the free edges thereof, the front side of said front member being in substantially the same plane as said flanges.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,344,223 Davis June 22, 1920 1,521,617 Griesbach Jan. 6, 1925 2,640,287 Lacoursiere June 2, 1953 

8. A PRICE TAGE MOLDING, COMPRISING: (A) AN ELONGATED BACK MEMBER OF SHEET METAL HAVING ITS LONGITUDINALLY CENTRAL PORTION CONCAVO-CONVEX AND HAVING OPPOSITELY EXTENDING TOP AND BOTTOM FLANGES IN A COMMON PLANE, (A) CONCAVELY SHAPED, TRANSVERSE, LONGITUDINALLY SPACED RIBS IN THE CONCAVE SIDE OF SAID BACK MEMBER AND FORMED INTEGRALLY THEREWITH, THE FRONT FREE EDGES OF SAID RIBS HAVING THE SAME CURVATURE AS THE CURVATURE OF SAID CONCAVE SIDE AND DEFINING ENDS OF TAG RECEIVING CHAMBERS, THE HEIGHT OF SAID RIBS BEING SLIGHTLY GREATER THAN THE THICKNESS OF TAGS TO BE RECEIVED THEREIN; (B) AND A TRANSPARENT FRONT MEMBER DISPOSED IN THE CONCAVE SIDE OF SAID BACK MEMBER, THE BACK SIDE OF SAID FRONT MEMBER HAVING A CURVATURE CORRESPONDING TO THE CURVATURE OF SAID RIBS AND ENGAGING THE FREE EDGES THEREOF, THE FRONT SIDE OF SAID FRONT MEMBER BEING IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME PLANE AS SAID FLANGES. 